Black Sunday

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Editorial reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review
If a case can be made for gangsta rap, Cypress Hill is the act to make it. The trio of L.A. Latinos has the commercial clout and its raps are mercifully free of the misogyny, homophobia, and anti-Asian, anti-Jewish racism that so often mars the genre. Member/producer D.J. Muggs creates an eerily lean soundscape of whining sirens, off-kilter funk rhythms, metallic percussion, nasal taunts, and gruff warnings that's the aural equivalent of today's nerve-rattling cop flicks and mob movies. --Geoffrey Himes

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Description
Up to SKULL & BONES, 1993's BLACK SUNDAY had been Cypress Hill's greatest commercial success, and it's no wonder. The album's funky grooves and mellow but danceable rhythms helpedto expand Cypress Hill's audience, hooking fans of alternative rock as well as earning Cypress Hill props from hip-hop die-hards.
Fourteen solid grooves make up this album fromthe West Coast trio, beginning with the dope anthem "I Wanna Get High". "Insane in the Brain" and "I Ain't Goin' Out Like That" are already hip-hop classics, each featuring the signature rolling bass hooks that defined Cypress Hill's soundbefore the group began experimenting with heavy metal. Deftly culled soul and Latin jazz samples provide a smooth backdrop for the intricate rhythms featured here. Refreshingly intelligent social concerns also find expression, with a tolerance that's rare indeed in the isolationism of rap. BLACK SUNDAY is a delightful departure from the obsession with guns and money that usually taints the West Coast school's output.

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Customer reviews

review by: s.vernon date: 2008-02-01 rating:
A HIP HOP CLASSIC
Black Sunday made Cypress Hill's connection to rock & roll more explicit, with its heavy metal-like artwork and noisier, more dissonant samples (including, naturally, stoner icons Black Sabbath). It's a slightly darker affair than its groundbreaking predecessor, with the threats of violence more urgent and the pot obsession played to the hilt (after all, it was a crucial part of their widespread appeal). Apart from those subtle distinctions, the sound of Black Sunday is pretty much the same as Cypress Hill, refining the group's innovations into an accessible bid for crossover success. In fact, it's a little startling how often Black Sunday recycles musical ideas and even lyrical catch phrases from the endlessly inventive debut. And the rock-derived, verse-chorus song structures start to sound a little formulaic by the end of the record (how many choruses feature Sen Dog repeating part of whatever B Real just said?). But in spite of that, Black Sunday still sounds vital and lively, since the group has a surer sense of craft. Most of the tracks are fleshed out into structured songs, in contrast to the brief sketches that punctuated Cypress Hill. The album benefits immensely from the resulting clutch of excellent singles (and songs that could have been), and while a couple of tracks feel redundant and underdeveloped, Black Sunday is overall a consistent, engaging listen, especially the flawless first half or so. Unfortunately, it's also the group's last great album, thanks to the musical recycling operation that began here and would handicap much of their subsequent work.

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review by: lcfcblueboy date: 2007-04-13 rating:
Not just a hip hop classic!!!!
It was the early 90s and music was the best its been since the 60s.I was a long haired grunger listening to musical gods such as Pear Jam,Nirvana,Rage Against The Machine and...........well you catch my drift.
Then everyone was talking about this great new sound that was ok for grungers to like!it was Cypress Hill and their awesome new album Black Sunday.
This album appealed to everyone from rap fans to hip hop fans to grunge fans,I remember the first time i heard Insane in the Brain,It was in my local metal club in Leicester and there is no stranger sight than seeing aload of metal fans with one hand in the air bouncing up and down to a hip hop track,but what a track.
What im saying is no matter what your musical preferance buy this classic album and believe the hype its one of the best albums i have ever bought and still gets kicked out of my car stereo more than once a week.
A timeless classic

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review by: TugStar date: 2007-01-19 rating:
Such a CLASSIC
Well, you can't have a list of all time great hip-hop albums without having Black Sunday somewhere near the very top. This Album sucked my generation into hip-hop. Cypress Hill and The Wu drew in a generation of white middle and lower class kids with music that wasn't our own, but which felt so fresh, and daring and cool.
I loved this album from the moment I brought it.
I loved it even more when my Dad threw it out in disgust. But looking back, this album was a musical master-peice.
This album helped shape my teenage years, much to my parents and presses dismay. But hey, we've turned out all right, haven't we !
The album is humorous, witty and fun.
With amazing beats and wonderful lyrics this album was an instant hit.
This is a true ALL TIME CLASSIC.

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review by: thetastysoup date: 2006-02-21 rating:
Praise the mighty hill
I know there are half a dozen five star reviews already here but what the hell. Black Sunday is a unique and innovative masterpiece, a diamond brick in the hip hop wall of fame. I've been pretty bored with the crap being released at the moment (fiddy cent I'm looking at you) so buying this 90's slice of sheer rawness has restored my faith in hip hop.

In the words of uncle Howie* it "takes you wherever you wanna go", the atmospheric and frankly stunning samples drawing you into the world of Cypress Hill. I can't stop listening to this and I've had for over a month.
This is a huge and important piece of hip hop history, essential listening.

*If you're wondering who uncle Howie is, check out 'The future is now' by Non Phixion. A brilliant album by an incredible group. Personal friends of Cypress Hill, although different in style, this is the best in cutting edge underground.


review by: angelaevans666 date: 2004-03-24 rating:
black sunday
an amazing album, one of the best albums i have ever bought!!!!!!! its really relaxing to listen to, really chilled out!!! i can listen to it over and over again, dont think ill ever get bored of it!!! every song is as good as the next!!!! pure genius!!!!

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